montanari
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2012
- Posts
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It was deleted a post where I highlighted an album that is great through my beloved fostex th900 because off topic..
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Fostex TH900 Impressions & Discussion Thread
- Thread starter MuppetFace
- Start date
jmills8
Previously known as bmiamihk, jmills2
It should have NOT been deleted.
Pretardo
100+ Head-Fier
Thanks for pointing me to Mall Grab. It’s perfect on TH900s!
montanari
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2012
- Posts
- 1,126
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- 277
today i listened to this:
also perfect for the TH900, but the quality, even in hi-res, is pretty bad..
enjoy your music
enjoy your music
There are so many tweaks for the TH900, I was wondering if some of the experienced users and modders could go over the three or four most excepted ones by the community, wheather earpads, of foam rings, or whatever that can be self done by a non technical person. Nothing huge like replacing cups or inner wire- just to complex for me.
Which are accepted as the three or four best tweaks by all of you guys?
Which are accepted as the three or four best tweaks by all of you guys?
Whazzzup
Headphoneus Supremus
I loved th900 back in the day, whent Full on Lawton mod, cable, angle ear pads, dampening, new cups, so no idea which did what but , as I remember it, took some of that low end saturation one got, say under electronic hits, added space, mid range detail is nice and more present for a V type can. But I dunno if it’s better, I love it as well. One gets used to what you listen to, so id be fine with out it. But yolo
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Pretardo
100+ Head-Fier
As for my mods, I bought a second hand Th900 mk1. It came with Audeeze pads. My first mod was to go back to stock pads, which brought the bass back and really made them slam.
The one down side is that the stock pads are pretty shallow and my ears don’t find that as comfortable.
After a while I upgraded to Lawton 1 with Lawton pads. The upgrade was pretty easy but just take your time. If you have no concerns taking out small screws and not stripping them or torquing the screws too tight and cracking what they go into, then a Lawton upgrade is no problem. The dampening that they give is generous and there is some leeway with some trimming down the dampening. The instructions are well done and I recommend going through every instruction so you know what to expect.
The whole process took about 15-20 minutes. Not bad at all.
The result was a much more precise and crisp sound. It tightened up the TH900s and made them sound planar-like. Still fun, but to my ears, tightened up the bass.
Another mod that I performed was getting someone to cut the cord and re-terminate it in 4.4mm balanced. I saved the part that was terminated in 1/4” and put a 4.4mm female plug on it, so I could use it single ended and have a cord extender.
The shorter cord and 4.4mm let me take it on the road and use it with my portable devices.
The most fun sounding setup I have used with it thus far has been the Hugo2 as a DAC and feeding it into an xDuoo TA—22. Having the tubes smoothes out the peaky 5.5k shrill and the class A amp adds more dynamics. The Hugo2 adds to the separation and detail as well as soundstage.
The one down side is that the stock pads are pretty shallow and my ears don’t find that as comfortable.
After a while I upgraded to Lawton 1 with Lawton pads. The upgrade was pretty easy but just take your time. If you have no concerns taking out small screws and not stripping them or torquing the screws too tight and cracking what they go into, then a Lawton upgrade is no problem. The dampening that they give is generous and there is some leeway with some trimming down the dampening. The instructions are well done and I recommend going through every instruction so you know what to expect.
The whole process took about 15-20 minutes. Not bad at all.
The result was a much more precise and crisp sound. It tightened up the TH900s and made them sound planar-like. Still fun, but to my ears, tightened up the bass.
Another mod that I performed was getting someone to cut the cord and re-terminate it in 4.4mm balanced. I saved the part that was terminated in 1/4” and put a 4.4mm female plug on it, so I could use it single ended and have a cord extender.
The shorter cord and 4.4mm let me take it on the road and use it with my portable devices.
The most fun sounding setup I have used with it thus far has been the Hugo2 as a DAC and feeding it into an xDuoo TA—22. Having the tubes smoothes out the peaky 5.5k shrill and the class A amp adds more dynamics. The Hugo2 adds to the separation and detail as well as soundstage.
Hello guys,
My first post here. About ten years ago I bought Beyerdynamic DT880 Edition, 250 Ohm, ran them through Asus Xonar Essence and a Technics SU-V8 for more volume. Sounded nice but nothing to write home about.
Last few years those cans were left unused in a case, mainly because I simply lacked source for it & they sounded terrible straight out of my laptop. A week ago I managed to get a nice deal on a full set, like new condition RME ADI-2 DAC (AKM version) for €620. The Beyers sound great now, especially for movie soundtracks, and I genuinely enjoy listening to them. Also tried AKG K712 Pro which had similar sound, except for the drums which were overall more muddy and blended together.
Now, since the day I bought those Beyers, I had a strong desire for Fostex TH900, even though I never had the opportunity to handle or hear them. Just the looks alone are super sexy, and I have a thing for Japanese electronics. The new DAC made me think about a headphone upgrade to some TOTL level ones, maybe it is the time to invest in Fostex at long last.
I listen to everything, most of the time industrial / goth rock (Sisters of Mercy, Mission, 69eyes), 80s metal and rock (Cinderella, WASP, JP, Sabbath, LedZep, Maiden...) and movie / videogame soundtracks (Starcraft, WoW, Mass Effect...). I am definitely not a bass head, in a meaning that I hate the bloated Beats-like sound, but I want those fast, hard, thunderous drums that you can hear in Kashmir with right setup for instance, or just to be able to differentiate between single drums. Preferably no V shaped tuning, more like good mids and treble with some punchy bass rumble. I like good instrument separation and soundstage. I expect the headphones to have quality build that will last years to come. I dont care for weight, sound leakage or accessories.
I am looking at TH900MKII Purple Limited Edition (Anniversary tuned AFAIK), TH909, Audeze LCD2 or LCDX. The first one is also the most favoured candidate so far, not to mention that the aesthetics are otherworldly.. Opinions please? Thank you.
My first post here. About ten years ago I bought Beyerdynamic DT880 Edition, 250 Ohm, ran them through Asus Xonar Essence and a Technics SU-V8 for more volume. Sounded nice but nothing to write home about.
Last few years those cans were left unused in a case, mainly because I simply lacked source for it & they sounded terrible straight out of my laptop. A week ago I managed to get a nice deal on a full set, like new condition RME ADI-2 DAC (AKM version) for €620. The Beyers sound great now, especially for movie soundtracks, and I genuinely enjoy listening to them. Also tried AKG K712 Pro which had similar sound, except for the drums which were overall more muddy and blended together.
Now, since the day I bought those Beyers, I had a strong desire for Fostex TH900, even though I never had the opportunity to handle or hear them. Just the looks alone are super sexy, and I have a thing for Japanese electronics. The new DAC made me think about a headphone upgrade to some TOTL level ones, maybe it is the time to invest in Fostex at long last.
I listen to everything, most of the time industrial / goth rock (Sisters of Mercy, Mission, 69eyes), 80s metal and rock (Cinderella, WASP, JP, Sabbath, LedZep, Maiden...) and movie / videogame soundtracks (Starcraft, WoW, Mass Effect...). I am definitely not a bass head, in a meaning that I hate the bloated Beats-like sound, but I want those fast, hard, thunderous drums that you can hear in Kashmir with right setup for instance, or just to be able to differentiate between single drums. Preferably no V shaped tuning, more like good mids and treble with some punchy bass rumble. I like good instrument separation and soundstage. I expect the headphones to have quality build that will last years to come. I dont care for weight, sound leakage or accessories.
I am looking at TH900MKII Purple Limited Edition (Anniversary tuned AFAIK), TH909, Audeze LCD2 or LCDX. The first one is also the most favoured candidate so far, not to mention that the aesthetics are otherworldly.. Opinions please? Thank you.
MasterHead
100+ Head-Fier
I think you will get everything you want from these headphone. TH900 have fast, strong and low-reaching bass. Big stage. Well separated trebles. You can listen to different kinds of music with them. I'm just not sure about the V-shape, depends on several factors. But quality build that will last for years for sure, you don't have to worry about that. For the price these are one of the best headphones.
After this point you are paying much more money for little more quality. Disproportionate growth. Which does not change the fact that this is fun and addictive, and with time you getting a desire for more...
After this point you are paying much more money for little more quality. Disproportionate growth. Which does not change the fact that this is fun and addictive, and with time you getting a desire for more...
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I have just had a chance to listen to DT1990 Pro for a few hours. Clearly better bass, more punchy drums, nice vocals, but the treble spike is indeed painful. How itense is TH900 treble compared to DT1990, if anyone had the chance to compare?
MasterHead
100+ Head-Fier
The sound signature is completely different in these headphones. DT1990 is neutral and also sharp, quite specific in its style, for some good for sound mastering etc. Anyway differences are significant compared to Fostex headphones. So you may not like this style of playing. It's best to listen for yourself.
However if you like vocals closer on the first plan then maybe the TH909 will be a more interesting option.
However if you like vocals closer on the first plan then maybe the TH909 will be a more interesting option.
temples
New Head-Fier
Hey fellow headfiers,
I have to ask for an advice for a DAC or a DAC/amp for the TH900MK2s within 1500 euros (used devices included).
My source is a MacBook Pro 2015 (Apple Music lossless as well as lossless and lossy files from a hard drive). I mostly listen to electronic, classic rock, soul, and jazz, and sometimes classical music. I used to have a Luxman DA-100 DAC/amp and loved it for its smooth, analogue-like sound and genre versatility. Recently, I have auditioned a Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M, which was not bad, but lacked the smoothness of the Luxman.
Are there any devices that have Luxman-like sound signature and are decent pairs for the TH900s? I have been considering the RME ADI-2 DAC, Woo Audio WA-7, Schiit, Lehmannaudio Linear (D), even a tube Brocksieper amp, but I do not have an opportunity to test drive any of them, so I am left confused.
If you have any experience listening to any of these DAC/amps with the TH900s or if you have an idea of a device that offers the sound signature I am loooking for in 2023, please share your thoughts.
I have to ask for an advice for a DAC or a DAC/amp for the TH900MK2s within 1500 euros (used devices included).
My source is a MacBook Pro 2015 (Apple Music lossless as well as lossless and lossy files from a hard drive). I mostly listen to electronic, classic rock, soul, and jazz, and sometimes classical music. I used to have a Luxman DA-100 DAC/amp and loved it for its smooth, analogue-like sound and genre versatility. Recently, I have auditioned a Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M, which was not bad, but lacked the smoothness of the Luxman.
Are there any devices that have Luxman-like sound signature and are decent pairs for the TH900s? I have been considering the RME ADI-2 DAC, Woo Audio WA-7, Schiit, Lehmannaudio Linear (D), even a tube Brocksieper amp, but I do not have an opportunity to test drive any of them, so I am left confused.
If you have any experience listening to any of these DAC/amps with the TH900s or if you have an idea of a device that offers the sound signature I am loooking for in 2023, please share your thoughts.
MasterHead
100+ Head-Fier
Not sure about Luxman sound signature, but I have RME ADI-2 DAC and its perfect dac/amp for th900. Its amazing neutral dac for many headphones. And th900 have their own style of sound, so neutral dac is perfect match. Of course in my opinion.
Hello, TH-900 owners. I'm wondering if I should get the TH-900 MK2. I am looking for fun, bassy headphones for EDM/Hiphop/Rock/Indie. Just for fun, casual listening. Some gaming from time to time and also movies.
The thing is, I have quite a few headphones and I am not sure if I should add them to my collection. I have the Sony MDR-Z1R, Hifiman edition X V2, Campfire Audio Cascade, HD 600 and Audeze LCD2. I haven't bought any headphones in like a year or so and I want to listen to something new, to reinvigorate my love for this hobby.
I was considering the Argon MK3s but I found a TH-900 MK2 for a very good price used. So should I still get the TH-900 MK2 or look elsewhere for a new fun headphone?
Thanks
The thing is, I have quite a few headphones and I am not sure if I should add them to my collection. I have the Sony MDR-Z1R, Hifiman edition X V2, Campfire Audio Cascade, HD 600 and Audeze LCD2. I haven't bought any headphones in like a year or so and I want to listen to something new, to reinvigorate my love for this hobby.
I was considering the Argon MK3s but I found a TH-900 MK2 for a very good price used. So should I still get the TH-900 MK2 or look elsewhere for a new fun headphone?
Thanks
Bret Halford
500+ Head-Fier
TH900 Red is exactly what comes to my mind when someone says "fun headphone."
They are also perfectly suited for a collection of cans, as they are more specialist than all rounder.
Go for it!
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